Home Truths #10pcs91days

Today was the last day of my version of GreenByDesign 10 piece challenge and not only was I glad for it to be over, I was actually happy to spend the day ill in bed so that I didn't have to think about what I was going to wear on my last day.

I was over the challenge for a couple of reasons.

Relying on 10 pieces meant constantly doing the washing even when I didn't have much to wash. I would either have to wait til there was enough for a full load or I would have to hand wash the clothes instead. Either way, my favorites started to wear and fade from the constant washing and it became quite an inconvenience.

Life also became dull. As I work in an office environment, most of my pieces had to be work appropriate, which meant clothes had to be pretty basic aka plain. The problem with this was that it would then filter over to my weekends and evenings, thus I could not separate work from my personal life.

What I found from doing this challenge was that I like variety and not having variety surprisingly affected me. I felt I couldn't express myself and I felt restricted. Restriction does not sit well with me. This challenge required me to constantly think about what to wear, when to wear, when to wash, which although doesn't seem like a huge ask, for me it was as I couldn't be my carefree self. I didn't have the luxury to purchase new pieces I came across since I wouldn't be able to wear them, so what was the point.

This challenge did bring about some home truths. I never thought of myself as the vain type but maybe I am just a tad. I definitely don't want to be one of those people who, as Tim Jackson puts it, "spend money we don't have on things we don't need to create impressions that don't last on people we don't care about". But I do in my life want to have choice and I want to spend time thinking about the bigger things rather than wasting it on scheduling my washing and wears. Moderation is the key.

Another challenge, not quite enjoyable but muchly welcomed for now everything I buy will have meaning and appreciation.

¨In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different¨
- Coco Chanel

London Calling: Emma´s Birthday

Em is one of my besties, who has set up home in ol´ London town. I miss her dearly but London seems to agree with her (maybe not in the colder months, luckily for me she gets aways from the cold by coming home!).

Anyhoo, it was her birthday last week. Now being eco, we bang on about buying local. So what happens when the gift recipient is overseas? Even though the gift is small, sending something from Melbourne to London still contributes to air travel miles, right? So for the convenience as well as expanding the green chic love, I went on the search for UK ethical/environmental online stores. I did come across several but it was Love Eco that appealed to me the most. A UK based online store selling ethical and eco-friendly alternatives that are in touch with modern life and trends.

I have always luved Robert Indiana´s famous LoVE design, so when I saw it printed on a cushion at Love Eco, I knew I had found the gift for Em.

What I also like about Love Eco is they tell you the eco-ness of each item they stock.

The LoVE cushion:

• Handmade in the UK.
• Cover is made from felt that is made from recycled plastic bottles
• Inner cushion is made from recycled fibre filling covered in organic cotton muslin (both also made in the UK).

Thanks so much Becky (@loveeco) founder of Love Eco, for all your communication and help! It was such a pleasure dealing with this lovely being and she was ever so accommodating with my extra requests!

In good company: Copenhagen Cycle Chic

Yesterday I found myself in the presence of greatness. As part of the State of Design festival Mikael Colville-Andersen, founder of Copenhagen Cycle Chic ["The Sarotrialist on two wheels"] and Copenhagenzie, presented what he believes to be the Four Goals for Promoting Urban Cycling.

Four Goals to Promoting Urban Cycling:

1. A2B-ism – focusing on the getting from A to B in the most quickest, easiest and efficient way possible.

2. Apply basis marketing technique – make urban cycling a "hero" brand, where everyone wanting a piece of it.

3. Stop Ignoring the Bull – Look at the problem, deal with the problem. Restrict movement. Medicate. Castrate. Rather than bubble wrapping the bull, how about trying to tame the bull.

4. Re-democratisation – re-humanising cycling. Re-creating livable cities rather than creating livable cities.

An hour with this filmmaker, photographer, and urban mobility expert confirmed to me that as like with the problem of climate change, what we need in solving the problem is to first go back to the basics instead of over-glamourising and over-complicating the problem. His four goals does work as proven in Barcelona, Dublin, Paris, Montreal and soon to be Mexico, State of Israel and Sweden. Mikael Colville-Andersen does know what he is talking about.

But can this work in Melbourne? Well we all seem to agree that the Melbourne Bike Share scheme is a total flop. The scheme is not easy nor is it efficient. It is just ill conceived. And what frustrates me the most is that this successful concept has just simply been duplicated without any regard to whether it is Melbourne appropriate. How embarrassing to be known as the only city to have unsuccessful implemented a highly successful concept. I am also not impressed that my tax paying dollars have been wasted on the dumb-asses who consulted on this scheme. I want a refund. However, general consensus for its failure seems to be the existence of our helmet laws. A view also expressed by the audience. The scheme doesn't work because what tourist is going to pack a helmet in their luggage for use only in Australia and New Zealand? But to me this isnt the major issue, though it does seem to be the most obvious. Melbourne, unlike the cities and countries listed above, does not have 30km speed limits for ALL vehicles traveling in the CBD. What it does have are tram lines and lots of angry people aka road rage. Why would I hire a bike, which I will then need to return it to an allocated station when I could buy a tram ticket that gets me to exactly where I need to go? And people who drive. Lets face it, they drive because they are in a rush and when elements like cyclists delay them from getting from A2B, they become angry, thus making the roads unsafe. As a member of the audience stated, the reason her friends don't cycle is because they feel unsafe. It is not because of distance as stated by Anita Curow, Director of Network Improvements at VicRoads. So right was the audience member and so wasted are the taxes that go to VicRoads. Although I can appreciate the audience members position to not wear a helmet when cycling as she feels safer as drivers tend to be more cautious of cyclists without a helmet, I will however continue wearing my helmet. I dont like to but I wear it for my safety because until the people of Melbourne become less angry and less selfish, I need all the protection I can get.

We keep investing in all this infrastructure but how about investing in cycle culture? As Colville-Andersen mentions we need to re-humanize the bicycle. And I totally agree. I recall my trip to Cambodia. You see, Cambodia does not seem to have road rules. So from the airport to my accommodation, we would be driving along one way and then suddenly swerve into oncoming traffic. And these roads are shared with cyclists. So my first two days in Cambodia I completely freaked out as I was expected to cycle to and forth to the orphanage during my month stay. They want me to cycle with these crazy drivers and without a helmet?? Hence the freak out. But after 2 days of piggybacking other cyclists, I realized I had nothing to fear. Cyclists owned the streets. It had nothing to do with the infrastructure, just the numbers, which gave them the power.

So when Melbourne develops a strong cycling culture, I will only then feel safe not to wear my helmet and it will only be then I will rely solely on my bicycle as my main form of transport.

So Ethic fills a void

Last Sunday I fought the gust of wind and rain to get to the pre-launch of Melbourne’s first ethical fashion store 'So Ethic'. Positioned at the new artisan retail hub known as Rebecca Walk (northern side of the Yarra, under the flinders street train bridge), 'So Ethic' fits right at home.

'So Ethic' is not your regular Oxfam, Off Ya Tree, Ishka kind of store. Owner Bhakti, is out on a mission to prove fashion can be chic whilst overcoming the misconception that ethical fashion is just a rainbow of mix-match threads. Committed to sourcing items solely from designers who are also committed to sustainability, the environment and human rights, one can pick up any item and be well assured it is either natural, organic, recycled, fair trade or artisan/handmade. Shopping has never felt so guilt-free and meaningful. I like it!

People of and visitors to Melbourne, I believe a void has been filled.

Steinan (Iceland) / KateTailyour (UK)

UNIDOT (UK) / COMO NO (France)

Homeless Chic

Cheng Guosheng aka Brother Sharp has become an internet cult hero.
A homeless man with surprisingly good fashion sense caputured by an amateur photographer.

Just goes to show, you can´t buy style.

Click here for the full story.

Design Made Trade - State of Design festival

On the weekend I made my way over to the Design Made Trade exhibition, which is a part of the State of Design festival. State of Design festival showcases how design generates innovation, promotes sustainability and adds value to business and society. Promotes sustainability, I like the sound of that! And so true it does.

At the Design Made Trade, I was amazed by how much use there was for paper/cardboard. It was fascinating to see what can be created with recycled paper. From sturdy tables and stools to stall booths, the options were endless. What´s even ideal is having the convenience to flat pack for easy storage or transportation. This is what Change in Design is all about. Using goods that already exist and creating something that agrees/suits our lives now.

What I fell in luv with however was this upcycled table and stool set by BlueBottle3. Picture says it all. So so cute, kinda rustic and perfect for round table feast and discussions! My kinda thing.

Half year house clean

So my last post was about embarking on a new project called ThreeChics. When this idea was conceived, I had visioned this project to be a record of re-con trips, no biggie, I enjoy roadtrips and off-track adventures. But when things are planned to schedule and deadlines set, that to me is not re-con. I´m a great believer in letting things happen, going with the flow, happy go lucky, so when these elements are threatened, I tend to lose myself and stop appreciating the things I truly care about. Having taken a huge step to rearrange my life by going from full-time to part-time work, I am not willing to now go back to a dog eat dog world. I really do want the slow life, the sea change, alfresco dining and cheap laughs! So I have decided to forgo ThreeChics.

I don´t regret the ARKit habitation experience, it was definitely an experience and any opportunistic platform to push the green agenda is always welcomed. Having kick started the green movement that is the ThreeChics, is an achievement in itself. To continue would mean sacrificing things I value highly, which I´m not willing to do. Plus I´m too old to take on too many projects. I rather just let things happen. As life has shown me, things seriously do happen when you are true to yourself and just let things be.

It´s still exciting times. Melbourne Fringe project is HUGE and I am in so awe to be a part of such an amazing team. And to be pushing the green movement is just tops. But wait there´s more. Look out for eco-chic articles popping up here and there by yours truly.

So all is good on my front. Life is a learning curve, you learn what you like and you learn what you don´t. You learn what is important to you and what´s important to others. But so long as you do things with passion and sincerity, good things will come your way. Don´t you love karma? I know I do!

ARKit #habitation D-day

I have been working on a project with two others. This project is called ThreeChics, 3 bloggers united to promote the ¨green¨ movement.

We´ve chosen today to launch our project, today being the day we move into ARKit´s EcoStudio as part of the State of Design festival. Lots to do and many to thank!! So shall end it here but before I sign off will leave you with this quote, a quote I hope transpires from our launch and project;

¨Each of us has much more hidden inside us than we have had a chance to explore. Unless we create an environment that enables us to discover the limits of our potential, we will never know what we have inside of us.¨

- Muhammad Yunus Economist and Banker, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Banker to the Poor)

Green By Design 10 piece Challenge

Yes, another challenge. It seems that I am a sucker for challenges. But what I´m finding is that these challenges are helping me better understand my consumption patterns, which is quite essential if I am to live a sustainable life.

Green By Design Summer Light Challenge is about challenging ourselves to pick ten garments and wear only those garments the entire Summer: 10 pieces for 91 days (accessories and underthings not included, of course). With the motto ¨simplify your fashion equation, identify your signature, consume less, live more¨, I am intrigued.

However, as it is not Summer here in icy cold winter Melbourne, so I have chosen to adapt this challenge accordingly and again complete a trial run before Summer 2011 hits! Yes I do like trial runs as I get to ease myself into it!

So this is how I´m revising the challenge to make it Winter friendly. In addition to the 10 garments I will add 2 thermo wool tops, one dark and one beige, which ought to keep me snugged. The duration of the challenge will also be shorten. I will start tomorrow and continue until the end of month. That means throughout the State of Design Festival you will pretty much be seeing me in the same clothes! I promise you I will do some laundry!

The 10 Garments:

The extras for Winter (the woolies):

Huon Pine - All Australian, All Tasmanian

Yay, oh no, yay...

Huon Pine is regarded as one of the oldest plants on earth. It is also endemic to Tasmania, meaning it cannot be found in any other place on earth... so itś pretty special.

However due to its incredibly slow growth rate of between 0.3 – 2 mm per year in diameter, the logging of this rain forest species has now ceased, which is a huge relief. So all Huon Pine trees are now fully protected.

So when I popped int the Salvo´s yesterday little did I know I would strike gold, for I came across a Huon Pine shallow bowl. It did kind of sadden me to think this precious timber was no longer seen as a prized possession by the previous owner. But then I rationalized it by thinking that I was meant to ¨save¨ this bowl from the possibility of going to landfill. Hence, the yay, oh no, yay!

There is a sigma attached to Op shops but I like to see op shop buys as a contribution to charity. Although those who can afford new items shouldn´t take away from those who do need to buy used goods at low cost, I think as long as there are items still available to those in need and so long as funds are going to the charity, it is okay. But please correct me if I´m wrong. I also think it can be motivating to demonstrate that there is no shame to wear/use second hand items and that one can still look fabulous when styled accordingly.

*Note: There are still two Huon Pine Timber Mills in Tasmania but they only cut salvaged saw logs from former dam construction sites.

Day 5 LBL Challenge

Yesterday was the final day of the Live Below the Line trial. Day 5. And it was a tough day because I was feeling tired, I had been without coffee for 5 whole days and I had cake cravings, especially cheesecake.

As kind folks have pointed out, my nutritional intake was questionable. Having jumped into the challenge without planning my meals was my first mistake. What I bought for Monday ended up dictating the rest of the week which would be okay if eating the same meal everyday wasn´t a problem for me. I always knew I loved food but I didn´t know it was the different combinations and the ways in which dishes were constructed that led me to the love.

I think the challenge is difficult when you are fortunate, as there were many times I just wanted to whip out the purse and go screw it. Even though I did succumb on Thursday, I still persisted as I wanted to experience what it would be like to walk in another person´s shoes. To walk in their shoes meant not having that option to say screw it, to walk in their shoes meant being soo cautious with spending and waste (waste nothing) and to walk in their shoes meant accepting that there would be times when you just have to go without. The experience has been such an eye opener for when we are fortunate we tend to take things for granted and we tend to be selfish without knowing it.

Completing the Live Below the Line challenge during August with a brunch of friends would be the way to go. It´s quite difficult to complete the challenge when others around you are not participating. Doing it as a team could even work in your favor. Say in a team of 5, if each took turns in making dinner, not only would you have variety but you would also be preparing dinner only once. Yeah!

Breakfast - mandarine, banana cost = 70 cents

Lunch - 2 slices of bread, pear cost = 33 cents

Dinner - miso soup, 1/16 leek, 50g rice, 1/2 tube silken tofu cost = 85 cents

Day 5 Total cost = $1.88

From the 5 day challenge, my favourite meals have been the fried rice from day 1 and yesterday´s stewed pear on toast. Though may not look so great in the photo, the caramelized pear was yum and it gave me the lift I needed!

The Anti-Bottle

Although I had an unpleasant day, I still ended it with a grin on my face. For my Anti-Bottle had arrived. Vapur - stands like a bottle but can fold, roll and flatten when empty. This is great news for me! Even though I carry a pretty big bag, I prefer not to carry so much space wasting items. I already have my keepcup, notebook, tupperware containers etc... lots of stuff! So this Vapur is perfect. Bonus, it has a bike clip attached so excellent for festivals, clip it to your belt hoop or for cycling clip it to your basket!

Extra Info

• BPA free
• Easy to clean
• Vapur donates 1% of annual sales to environmental organizations

Day 4 LBL Challenge

Today I CAVED. I am not proud but I am honest. My excuse is I was at work my stomach was growling and the growls grew louder. I did try to drink hot water to fool my stomach into thinking it was hot soup but obviously that doesn´t work or else everyone would be doing it, right?

Breakfast - 1 slice of bread, banana, tea with 1 sugar cost = 48 cents

So what did I do? Stuck in West Melbourne, not surrounded by shops, off to the office vending machine I went. And out dropped a packet of sour cream & chives Grainwaves. Boy were they good. And the cost? Ouch! Practically my whole budget $1.70.

So I am pretty much over budget but I decided to persist to see how much more I would go over budget by.

As it so happens I had a shocker of a day. Being attacked with words from one person´s ugly jealousy, I felt ill and I couldn´t eat. So maybe I should be thankful for their schizo-ness?? But what I do know is I am thankful for my friends. Lunch? A dose of thankfulness cost = nil

Feeling deflated, I needed a pick me up. So taking in fizzleout´s comment that it´s ok to do portion pricing, I decided I needed my cheese. So off to the supermarket I went to buy Australian home brand pasta, cheap broccoli and a block of parmesan. Add to this what I already have, garlic and olive oil, and ta-da. Broccoli pesto linguine. Cost, yes over budget but not too bad considering everything is local. Cost = $3.44 /2 serves =$1.72

Day 4 Total = $3.90

Not good but also not bad. Whole day under $5 bucks. I do feel a guilty though, which makes me more determined to achieve this challenge in August. Much planning is necessary. And who can I recruit?!

¨Women are more likely than men to be at risk of hunger¨ - UN

If you haven´t noticed, I don´t eat meat. My reason: In an UN report it was found that ¨we grow enough edible grain to provide 50% more than is required for every person in the world¨. Yet world hunger exist. It is from this fact that I choose to live a meat-free life.

How to tie a scarf

The Live Below the Line Challenge has seem to overtaken my blog. Well that´s my fault cause I thought it would be great to blog about my so call adventures but I was wrong it´s blah like the food. Don´t get me wrong it´s a great challenge but I wish I was more creative when it came to food. I know what I like to order but when given certain constraints it pretty damn difficult. I miss cheese. Didn´t realize I had such a dependency on it.

Anyhoot, returning to normal programming...

I picked up this beauty from the trusty Camberwell market for a buck (that´s half a day´s food cost according to Live Below the Line). I´ve been eyeing off a lot of scarfs lately. Not just because of the Winter cold, where my scarf wraps around my neck blocking out the icy wind but for that fact my hair had gone under the razer blade more than it should have. Yes, I probably should have said something when the stylist hack into my hair but 1. I didn´t want to interupt his craft and 2. the damage was already done. So gone is hair that could be tied up to hair that when tied up looks like bum fluff. I´m still traumatized by the experience, so in seeking comfort and to hide the hair I wear a scarf/bandana. I´ve come across many fine scarfs but this is my latest find. I love the primary colors and circle patterns. Remains me of the fashion label Gorman, which we like as they are the consider pioneers of green fashion.

Why are scarfs so great? They are just so versatile. One scarf, many wears.

My favs:

Buekaroo Knot

Gypsy

And other ways to tie a scarf:

Gypsy

French Twist
Buekaroo Knot
Ascot Wrap
Butterfly Wrap
Rose Knot

Day 3 LBL Challenge

There seems to be no fruit in the diet and also not much veg. So back to the grocers I go. Luckily for me, my folks live near a grocer shop called Get Fresh that sells Australian fruit & veg super cheap and apparently sometimes they just give it away! I like their philosophy, better to give than to bin it. So again I added the Grocery List.

Wednesday is Hump Day. And I have hit a hump. Two things, the fruit&vege issue and, after 2 days I´m bored. What I´ve realized is that I like variety, variety gets me excited. I thought not caving into my sweet tooth urges was a massive achievement but gone now is the excitement I get from food and that just hurts. I guess I should get excited that I get to eat, right? Hmmm...

I also think I´ve made a mistake, not in regards to doing the challenge but the spending part. I´ve spent more than $10 in groceries but I haven´t spend over $2 a day if I proportion it. So hopefully this is okay. If not please tell me. Or maybe I should just twitter @livebelowline. Aaaah twitter, it´s a love hate relationship.

Didn´t really have time for breakfast this morning so I just grabbed some fruit to eat through out the morning.

Breakfast - pear, banana & mandarine, cost = 88 cents

Lunch - 2 garlic toast, 1 clove garlic, tea with 1 sugar, cost = 47 cents

Dinner - 50g rice, 1 egg, tbl soy, miso soup cost = 85 cents

/

Day 3 Total cost = $2.17
(oh no but seeing I have 24 cent left from Day 1&2, I choose to use these funds)

Today has been a bad day nutritionally. Should I do the challenge again, one thing I now know is I need to plan and research where best to buy low cost groceries.

Oh I did make an enquiry to @livebelowline asking if free coupons were allowed. The answer ¨it´s really your choice¨. So as much as I like the my choice part, I feel it´s kind of also saying ¨if you must cheat, this is a good way¨. Which is true as people living in poverty don´t have this choice and so using the coupon would defeat the purpose of the challenge.

Day 2 LBL Challenge

** Grocery list updated **

So Day 2 of Live Below the Line challenge and all is going well. I´m actually excited by the possibilities out there but in the mean time will stick with what I have.

My meal from last night´s dinner was actually quite filling such that I skipped the egg for brekkie. However I can´t just eat plain bread, even if it is multigrain. So to give me that kick start to the day I sprinkled a tea spoon of sugar and gave it a dab of water and into the grill it went.

Breakfast - Sugar toast - 2 slices, tsp sugar cost = 17 cents

Lunch - Monday night´s dinner served 2, second serve of fried rice cost = 90 cents

Dinner - 1/16 leek, miso soup, 1/2 tube silken tofu & 50g rice cost = 85 cent

Day 2 Total cost = $1.92

Day 1 LBL Challenge

It´s only Monday and boy has it been a pretty busy start to the week. So let´s get to it.

I generally try to buy organic and/or local where possible but in completing the Live Below the Line challenge I had to forgo the organic but I still did try to buy Australian. Not all ended up being a product of Australia as they just don´t exist such as miso soup and dry shiitake mushroom.

The Grocery List

• Multi grain bread
  
• Free range eggs
  
• Australian olive oil
• Dried shiitake mushrooms
• Marukome instant wakame miso soup
• Leek
• Garlic
• Sun rice Doongara clever rice (product of Australia)
  
• Soya sauce
• Australian Sugar
• Silken Tofu
• Tea
• Banana
• Pear
• Mandarin
  

Breakfast - 2 slices of bread, 1 egg, cost = 57 cents

Lunch - 2 slices of bread, 1 serve of miso soup, cost = 37 cents

Dinner - Fried rice
(1 cup uncooked rice, tbl olive oil, 1 clove garlic, 1/4 leek, 1/4pkt shiitake mushrooms, 1 egg & tbl soy), cost = $1.90/2 serves = 95 cents

DAY 1 Total = $1.84

What I can conclude from Day 1 is that this is going to be one carb loaded week. Luckily for me, I like carbs, so all is good.

Oh by the way, I never had that starving feeling but when it was time for a feed my stomach did let me know. Fortunately for me, they were timed perfectly a grumble at 6am, 1pm and 7pm.

$2 a day challenge

Live Below the Line Challenge is a campaign teaching Australians how to live below the poverty line. For me, I decided to take on the challenge as I think it will also help me better understand my consumption patterns.

The challenge is to eat for less than $2 a day for 5 days. Fortunately, everything can be proportionated in the calculation. So if you buy a loaf of bread and eat one slice, only the value of that slice is acknowledged in the equation and not the full price of the loaf.

Everyone who I´ve told thinks I´m crazy for doing this but it´s only for five days, which is nothing compared to the 1.4 billions people who faces the same challenge everyday.

Although the actual challenge is set for 2nd to 6th August, I will start trialling it from tomorrow. The sooner I come to the realization, maybe the sooner I can make the change.

Merci Arigato Thanks Peppermint Magazine!

Peppermint Magazine has made this green chick go from green to pink to majorly dark green! How? It goes a little something like this...

This morning started off with a pleasant surprise. Yes, Peppermint Magazine had been in touch with me but I had a assume they had also been in touch with others as well. Low and behold what I found when I picked up the latest edition of Peppermint Magazine Issue 6, my words starring back at me!

Thank you Peppermint Magazine. You are my lolly pop and sunshine! And you have permanently made me giddy!

Peppermint Magazine is at the forefront of Australian magazine publishing. And this is what I hope the future will be. It embodies all that is good in the world into its magazine while remaining intune with the latest styling and lifestyle trends. Want to know more? Click here or the picture link to the left (which will be up shortly). Subscribe and you too will be pleasantly surprised!